Avani Lekhara
Indian paralympic rifle shooter From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Avani Lekhara (born 8 November 2001) is an Indian rifle shooter.[3] She is a double gold medalist at the Paralympics having won the 10m rifle event the 2020 Paralympics as well as the 2024 Paralympics. She made history by winning two back-to-back golds. She also won the bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 event at the 2020 Games, thus being the first Indian woman to win multiple medals at a single Paralympic Games.[4] Lekhara is a two-time gold and one-time silver medalist at the Para World Cup.[5]
Lekhara in 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 8 November 2001 Jaipur, Rajasthan, India | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 3 in (160 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | India | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Shooting | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event | Air rifle SH1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coached by | Chandra Shekhar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paralympic finals | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Highest world ranking | 1 [1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Early life and education
A car accident in 2012, at the age of 11, left her with complete paraplegia. Her father encouraged her to join sports, training in archery but moving to shooting in which she found her true passion. She currently studies law in Rajasthan University, India.[6][7] She was student of Kendriya Vidyalaya 3 (Jaipur), where she received her first gold medal in regional match of shooting.[8]
She won a gold medal in the 10m air rifle standing and a bronze medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.[9] Lekhara is ranked the World No. 1 in Women's 10m Air Rifle SH1 as per World Shooting Para Sport Rankings.[10] She has been given out of turn appointment as Assistant Conservator of Forest by the Government of Rajasthan.[11]
Career
Lekhara began shooting in 2015, inspired by former Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra and has since won several national and international titles.[12]
She is coached by Chandra Shekhar.
Paralympic career
She is the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic gold medal.[13][14][15] Lekhara won India's first gold medal at the 2020 Summer Paralympics. With a score of 249.6 points in the final event, she set a Paralympic record and tied the world record.[16]
On 3 September 2021, she became the first Indian female Paralympian to win two medals in Paralympics history after claiming bronze in women's 50m air rifle standing event.[17][18]
In Paralympics 2024 at Paris, she won a gold in women's 10m air rifle standing SH1. She became the first Indian women athlete to win three paralympic medals.[19]
In popular culture
Avani has appeared in the Kalki presents 'My Indian Life' for young Indian adults in the twenty-first century examined by Bollywood actress Kalki Koechlin. True stories from India, sometimes brutal, sometimes inspiring. The BBC World Service broadcasts the program.[20]
Awards
- 2021 – Khel Ratna Award, highest sporting honour of India.[21]
- 2021 - Young Indian of the Year - GQ India
- 2021 - Vogue Women of the Year - Vogue Magazine
- 2021 - Best Female Debut - Paralympic Awards - International Paralympic Committee
- 2022 - Padma Shri[22]
- 2022 - FICCI FLO Award for Excellence in Sports
- 2022 - She - Age Award by Hindustan Times
- 2022 - Para Athlete of the Year (Female) - Sportstar
- 2022 - BBC India Change Maker Of The Year 2021
- 2022 - BRICS CCI WE - Trailblazer 2022
- 2024 - BBC Sportswoman of the year Nominee[23]
See also
References
External links
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